C-sections recovery!

I was on medication for about 2 weeks to help with pain management. At about 5 weeks I was finally able to lay on my tummy for short periods of time. Im at 7 weeks pp now and still feel that some things I do cause discomfort. I know recovery is different for everyone so just give yourself time to heal.

All I can say is do not rush anything - I have had an emergency and an elective. I totally understand it’s difficult as you just want to feel normal. Keep on top of your meds and take each day as it comes 🤍 xx

I also had an emergency c-section 16 weeks ago, where they also raptured my bladder (so 21 days with catheter). I refused to take any painkillers as I like to be chemicals free & also I didn’t want anything to affect the quality of my breast milk as I exclusively breast feed. My recovery for a standard life was quite quick for both, tummy & bladder. As soon as they took out the catheter, I felt fine. So 3 weeks. However the true shock for me was when I tried go back to exercise 8 weeks post(I’m personal trainer & Pilates/yoga/Barre teacher). Basic things like step ups, squats etc was very painful & no go. So I waited & tried again after 12 weeks. Weight training was ok; squats, deadlifts, lunges ok as well as upper abs. However any core work - Im still in lot of pain. 16 weeks after, Pilates core work is still very difficult 😞 So I guess we have to be very patient here. I had ladies in my Pilates classes postnatal like 12 month & they still felt it when exercising. 🤷‍♀️ Patience is key

@Katarina Stojkovic no painkillers!!!! My goodness I wouldn’t be able to cope!!

@Ariel thank you, wow what a long time for you. I’m hoping it doesn’t take that long, i’m not expecting to completely go back to normal straight away but I’d like to be able to get out and about.x

@Chels thank you. The meds definitely help.x

@Soph I use breathwork, meditation & also reiki self healing. Also lot of anti inflammatory fruit & veggies, works magic 😇

Depends what u mean by normal or if u just want to go out? I went out a walk round the block 3days after my section, in normal times it would take me less than 5 mins to walk it but it took me about 15. I was sore but I was desperate to get out, my feet/ankles/legs were swollen and I thought getting up and about would help (it didn’t). Every day it would get better, after about 2 weeks I think I reduced my painkillers to just before bed and I by about 4/5 weeks I was just about able to get in/out of the bed without much extra pain. Everyone is different though, so don’t be too hard on urself, take it one day at a time, if ur sore but want to move take the painkillers…or additional painkillers (paracetamol based and ibuprofen based at different times of day)

I did a full grocery shop 7 days post c section and made sure to keep up with painkillers regularly as it helps you get back to normal faster. Take them even if you think the pain is managed as it'll creep in and catch you off guard

Painkillers never help with speeding up recovery, it’s has nothing to do with it. Only opposite, the more chemicals in the body, the slower recovery. No way please take these if pain is manageable. Absolutely disagree with YazmynJade. Besides holistic coach, I’m also a healer & therapists. I can guarantee you with many results from my clients, the less chemicals the better recovery. Keep up nutrition on point si with fruit & veg, many of these can help with healing 😇

I won't lie I was incredibly lucky, I had an emergency c section and expected the recovery to be dreadful but within a few days I felt 'normal'. Still twingy to stand/sit for a couple of weeks but I felt like myself almost instantly. I would say, regardless of how you feel...don't rush into doing anything! Still don't lift more than you should, even if you feel normal quickly. Let your body heal or you'll slow down the process x

@Tasha yeah definitely seems everyone is different. I guess you can’t really compare from one person to another.x

I was out walking after a week (short walks round the block) x

@Katarina Stojkovic thank you. I am trying to eat better but appetite wasn’t great in the first few days. I’m aware pain killers won’t speed up recovery but they do help me cope and manage it. I am a registered health care professional so would always encourage appropriate pain relief for those who need or want it 😊 Like people have said everyone’s recovery is different so everyone’s needs are different, but a caesarean section is major surgery at the end of the day.

@Katarina Stojkovic there's no need to get snarky. I was suggesting to take them as when the pain suddenly hits you and cripples you you can't do anything besides lay there in pain. You have your opinion I have mine, and that's what I was offering.

I had an emergency c section as well. I could manage a very slow small 15 minute walk after 1 week. Carrying the baby was hard. I took painkillers for 2 weeks. I felt like I had full mobility again at 6-7 weeks but didn’t lift heavy things and started on daily walks. I’m 3 months pp now and feel “normal”.

@YazmynJade I totally agree with you. Keeping on top of pain relief until you don’t need it any more is always best.

I had an emergency c-section with my April 2022 baby. First 5 days were horrific for pain, I fainted because of the level of pain on day 1 or 2 (can’t remember which). I tried to move as much as I could but honestly couldn’t manage a normal walk round the park until around day 7. I could move mostly normal by the end of week 2, but honestly I was sore until about 2 months PP. in hindsight I wish I would had rested more and drank more fluids than I did. Just try to take it one day at a time and let your body heal at its own pace ❤️